Great Springs CEO Hiked Proposed 100-Mile Trail Route
Garry Merritt walked the future path connecting San Antonio to the Texas Capitol to highlight regional conservation goals.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Hiking
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Great Springs Project CEO Garry Merritt trekked the proposed 100-mile trail route that will eventually link San Antonio and Austin. This journey celebrates the initiative to protect 50,000 acres in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.
Why it matters
The project addresses critical challenges regarding regional water, land, wildlife, and public health. By connecting four iconic springs, the trail aims to preserve essential natural resources across the central part of the state.
The trail spans 100 miles and connects four springs, while House Bill 4230 mandates project completion by 2036. The initiative targets the protection of 50,000 acres of land within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.
The players
Garry Merritt
He is the CEO of the Great Springs Project.
The details
Merritt completed the hike to advocate for the ambitious corridor that will connect the Alamo to the Texas Capitol. Building the trail remains a multi-step process involving ongoing landowner negotiations, permitting, design, funding, and construction.
Timeline
September 2025: House Bill 4230 was passed into law.
August 2026: The Limestone Link trail in San Marcos opened.
October 10-11, 2026: Garry Merritt began his trek across the route.
2036: The trail must be completed by this deadline for the Texas bicentennial.
Roadmap
The development of this trail corridor follows a timeline codified by House Bill 4230, which set the state bicentennial in 2036 as the ultimate completion deadline. This project marks a significant effort to integrate public recreation with large-scale land conservation in Texas.
Residents can expect improved access to outdoor recreation as new trail segments like the Limestone Link open in local communities. The long-term protection of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone also supports regional water security for those living in the area.
The takeaway
The trail represents a major investment in both physical infrastructure and environmental preservation for the region. Hikers and conservationists should monitor future updates as the nonprofit continues to secure land and funding for upcoming construction phases.
What happens next
The project faces a mandatory completion deadline of 2036 to coincide with the Texas bicentennial.
Further reading
Learn more about the future of hiking trails across the state.
More information
Find out more about the planned route on the Great Springs Project official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MySA.
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